Liberia Is Virtually Under Siege By Pres. Ellen Sirleaf…

I have been pondering over the situation that is currently unfolding in my country. It is so mind bugging that I have to pose the following questions: Is Liberia still a sovereign nation? Has the country been placed under siege? On reflection, I can only say that Liberia has lost her sovereignty and has been placed under siege by Ellen Sirleaf and her criminal gang. And they appear to be very arrogant, refusing to accept the proposition that the interest of the Liberian people supersedes their narrow interest.

For 11 years, these kleptomaniacs have been robbing the nation of its limited resources, colluding with international criminal gangs who masquerade as investors or development partners. This unconscionable bunch lives large—driving expensive cars around town and robbing our young people of their future and virtues. And they do so with impunity amidst the acquiescence of the so-called international community. Our weak governing institutions do not help the matter either.

Bribery and rampant corruption in high places thrive unabated. The only things we hear are lip service and political manipulations. This Sirleaf criminal gang lies, thinking it is smart and we the masses are dumb to know that we are being played. The game it plays well is manipulation while tempering with justice and violating the Constitution. But let me say this: the gang is on the wrong side of history to even think that we don’t know what’s happening, or that it is smarter than us.

It is absurd for a government which prides itself of being elected by the people to think it is above the masses. It needs to be reminded, loud and clear, that our constitution guarantees the rights of the people as the legitimate employer. In other words, government officials, appointed or elected, ought to be the employees or servants of the people—and not the other way around. The Liberian people, the employer, should therefore be able to terminate the employee for dereliction of duty, neglect, failure to perform as expected, bribery and corruption, gross violation of our organic law as well as for lack of confidence in their ability to deliver their platforms as promised. It is imperative that the corrupt Sirleaf administration take note.

The Liberian people are sometimes apathetic, but they are not dummies. They are aware of the criminal nature of the Sirleaf administration. They sense its political manipulations, the pervasive social injustices, the official robbery, perjury and the violation of the Constitution.

For instance, the case involving Varney Sherman, Alex Tyler and others is indicative of such political manipulations. The prosecutorial process is not only a travesty of justice; it is a disgrace to the country. In other words, singling out only Tyler and Sherman for a crime involving others is an outright witch-hunt as it is grossly unfair. Sherman and Tyler aren't angels, but let us put right to where it belongs.

The Global Witness Report that implicates these public figures in the corruption scandal has enlisted other people, including President Sirleaf’s son Fumba Sirleaf. Why was Fonati Koffa sent to harass certain people and leave out Fumba? Somebody please help us understand this: Is Fumba Sirleaf untouchable and above the law? Tyler and Sherman are being dragged into court while Fumba is basking in impunity.
Does this Jezebel want us to believe that she’s serious about fighting corruption? We refuse to believe that! This vindictive president is simply using this report to have a sinister aim accomplished which is to oust House Speaker Alex Tyler, her former ally who has now become an enemy.

And what’s about big boy #1 and big boy #2? Will Fonati Koffa go after big boy #1 if the investigation shows that Ellen Sirleaf is indeed the missing big boy #1 puzzle? Will the House of Representatives (that corrupt, rubber stamp bunch) begin impeachment proceedings against Ellen Sirleaf?

Political Manipulation

It’s a disgrace that the House of Representatives is not a separate branch as stipulated and enshrined in the Liberian constitution. Had it been a real separate branch, that body would have launched its own investigation into the Global Witness Report since members of the House and Senate were mentioned in the report for bribery--instead of swallowing everything the Executive Branch forces down their throats. Unfortunately, folks in both houses are equally corrupt and greedy; hence, they follow the whims and caprices of this kutuku-turned president—while swallowing her insults. What a shame!

On the other hand, if Ellen had been honest and serious about this report, she would not have interfered with the functions of the House of Representatives by sending a letter to the Deputy Speaker recognizing him as the acting speaker or having her mouth piece Eugene Nagbe justify Tyler’s unceremonious removal. Nor would she have publicly expressed her dissatisfaction with Tyler’s performance or lack of confidence.
Furthermore, she would have allowed her hinge man Fonati Koffa to charge everybody on the Global Witness Report including her son Fumba Sirleaf who is the Minister of National Security. But instead, she has chosen to show the world how vindictive and manipulative she is.

WAKE UP LIBERIA! This woman is not serious about prosecuting her corrupt family members and friends for stealing the country’s money. It’s just a game, Ellen Sirleaf's game of deception. Over the past ten years, how many family members or friends of hers have had a day in court for having stolen our money? None! Only poor Liberians who cannot afford decent daily meals let alone pay for legal representation are languishing in our filthy jails for petite crimes--while the hardened criminals, Sirleaf's cronies and family members, are with impunity stealing our money, building mansions and leading flamboyant lifestyles.
This miscarriage of justice is a crime against humanity. It is grossly unfair to an already traumatized nation. Sirleaf shouldn't get away with it.

This old woman has done the nation more harm than any politician in our political history. Her selection of Jonathan Fonati Koffa to head a special investigative task force to probe the Global Witness Report is similar to her selection of Charles Taylor as the front man of the National Patriotic Front of Liberia. As mastermind of the 14-year long internecine killing, Ellen Sirleaf knew that Mr. Taylor was wanted by Samuel Doe’s government on embezzlement related charges. She also knew that tapping Mr. Taylor for the job to overthrow Mr. Doe through the barrel of the gun would have met stiffer resistance.

So is the appointment of Fonati Koffa who she knew was convicted of a felony in the United States. No wonder, the appointment has stirred up a public outcry. Didn't she know Sherman and others wouldn’t take seriously a Fonati-led investigation?

As a matter of fact, a court in North Carolina has disbarred Mr. Koffa from practicing law after revoking his law license and throwing him in jail for two years for having embezzled.

Sirleaf has no integrity whatsoever. She does not even care about ethics. She does not give a hoot about corruption in Liberia, because she knows how to manipulate Liberian politics and how to fool the Liberian masses sometimes. She is doing exactly what her international handlers ask her to do. She's not patriotic!

And her criminal gang are out to protect their loot. They are apparently ready to eliminate anyone who attempts to expose their diabolical plans for Liberia. Do the gruesome killings of Greaves and Allison ring a bell?
The trouble is that justice remains elusive under this Sirleaf mafia-style setup. First of all, our judiciary is as corrupt as the executive and the legislative branches. Like the others, the judiciary flouts the Constitution. It does not interpret the constitution or dispense justice as per its function. Folks at the judiciary believe that they are the law. They interpret it to suit their taste or grant favors to those who can afford their fees or charges. That explains the stark absence of equity in the Liberian justice system under Ellen Sirleaf.

Where in the world would a person take a gun and shoot another in the neck and walks around freely for two days? And then out of shame and embarrassment, his father, who is the Minister of Defense, goes to the press and publicly tells the police to arrest his son.

Where was the attorney general or the police? Do they know their duties? They probably do, but they had to wait for permission to perform their duties. This is Ellen Sirleaf's Liberia!

So, unless we stand up in unison and demand the right thing for our country, which is justice for all, these crooks will continue to get away with these crimes against humanity. And what’s more pathetic is when we expressed our dissatisfaction about corruption, these crooks tell us to wait until the election so they can shake hands, laugh at us and find another smooth-talking crook to head the nation.

NONSENSE! Where in the world can an employee who is caught embezzling tells the employer that if you don’t like the way I steal from your company, then you will have to wait until the human resources department hires another crook to replace me in a year or two? In a society that values law and order, the employer will not only terminate the crook, but PROSECUTE!!

HELLO-O… Nothing happens when we sit down and wait. Things will only change when we stand up to make that change. The so-called election will happen when we decide, not the crooks. If we wait for them to continue to lie to us, steal our monies with impunity, then the so-called election will be just another old soup in new bowl.

Our judiciary is so rotten to the core that these thwarted legal derelicts refuse to function as stipulated in our organic law. Somebody tell me--how long should we put up with this madness?

D. Garkpe Gedepoh
CEO/African Panorama

But glance at what has transpired at the Supreme Court: Edwin Snowe the foot soldier and de facto ring leader of the unconstitutional group or bandits which has carried out the unconstitutional removal of Speaker Tyler IS THE HUSBAND of Sie-A-Nyene G. Yuoh ( REFUSING TO RECUSE HERSELF) is the Justice in Chambers to whom Tyler takes his case and obviously receives A DENIAL OF JUSTICE!

Hence the author´s (Gedehpoh´s) conclusion : "Our judiciary is so rotten to the core that these thwarted legal derelicts refuse to function as stipulated in our organic law" says it all! As for Hans Barchue calling Edwin Snowe an "evil plotter", one wonders if he Hans Barchue is the good plotter!!

THE BIG QUESTION: WHY DID TYLER AND ADOLPHUS LAWRENCE EXPECT JUSTICE NOW EVEN WHEN THEY NEVER WANTED TO HEAR ABOUT THE RULE OF LAW WHEN THE BOTH OF THEM WERE SEEN AS PRIME SUSPECTS IN THE CASE OF CLLR. MICHAEL ALLISON´S GRUESOME MURDER???NOT TO MENTION THE BRUTAL SLAUGHTER OF HARRY GREAVES - A CASE IN WHICH THE CIRCUMSTANCE, NATION, AND THE WORLD, HAVE SEEN ELLEN JOHNSON SIRLEAF AS THE PRIME SUSPECT!!

President Sirleaf from all indications is the smartest in the Liberian Politics. All of you continue to say that she is responsible for every decision made in the other Branches of Government. Whoever President Sirleaf wants as her successor will surely succeed because the rest of you are nothing, according to your analysis. What a shame? President Sirleaf, let them talk the free talk you provided for them while you do your work as President of Liberia. Complaint Generals, your keep complaining.

Arthur Tambaat 08:01AM, 2016/10/07.

Even Charles Taylor´s HATERS, OPPONENT´S, CRITICS, ETC. ETC. believed Charles Taylor was "the smartest in the Liberian Politics" but were later proven wrong By his present permanent and lifetime address! So for an Arthur Tamba to suffer similar mirage about BLOOD-DRENCHED DESPOT Ellen Johnson Sirleaf its the obvious.

Kandajaba ZOEBOHN Zoedjallahat 06:22AM, 2016/10/08.

Liberia is really been taken for a ride by this useless woman. After using state funds to bribe spineless Representatives to unseat Speaker Tyler because he would not accept her foolishness, she is now pretending not to be the very one who used state funds to have the new speaker to come from her disintegrated so called Unity Party, she is ashamed to publicize her happiness as she did when she recognized Hans Barchue whom she used and duped to be able to FINALLY control the three branches of government.

Senator George Manneh Weah, the political leader of the Congress for Democratic Change (CDC) last week granted a lengthy interview to Nigeria’s Daily Trust newspaper and, among other things, made a declaration of why he will be president in 2017, despite the recent Ganta Declaration by all 22 opposition political parties to collaborate to effectively wrestle the prospect of power from the ruling Unity Party’s new standard bearer, Vice President Joseph N. Boakai.

With Senator Weah’s declaration, political observers are not sure what would become of the collaboration with the other 21 political parties since they are yet to work out the means to get a candidate to represent them.

The Daily Trust interview is reproduced below:

Daily Trust: You ran unsuccessfully for president of Liberia in 2005 against Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and again for vice president on Winston Tubman’s ticket. Can you share your experience?

George Weah: It’s a truly great thing to be part of Liberian politics. You know I played a major role in the peace-building over the years. I was called on board by the people and they gave me their mandate, and I created and funded a party called Congress for Democratic Change (CDC), which is today the people’s party, the most popular one in my country. I went to the polls in 2005, and won the first round overwhelmingly but something changed and we had to go for a second round. When we did, the same thing happened.

But for the sake of peace and stability in our country - coming from many years of civil war - we held discussions with regional leaders and interest groups and we eventually decided to accept the results. We listened to the counsel of respectable African leaders, who I respect a lot, like Nigeria’s then-President Olusegun Obasanjo, Ghana’s then-President John Kufuor and South Africa’s Thabo Mbeki and others, who sat with me and told me that ‘Look, in the interest of peace and stability in your country, let’s make some provisions for the country to move on.’ I’m a peaceful man, and my vision is to see Liberia grow. So I listened, kept hope alive, and all the while I continued to work.

In 2011, I was privileged to be on the ticket of Winston Tubman, as his Vice. We went to elections, and a similar thing happened. Again, we let it slide and continued to hope. I declared my bid for the presidency in April 28, and I would like to tell those who told me to concede for the sake of peace, that for the sake of peace and stability that we’re hoping that there will be free and fair elections. We’re hoping that this time everything will be OK, and that interest groups will guide the election, and see it through.

DT: After your retirement, you joined politics, unlike some of your colleagues who opted for careers in coaching or football management. What informed your decision?

Weah: I grew up in a politician’s house, that’s my father. He was active in the movement that got [Ellen] Sirleaf Johnson out of jail, the Movement for Justice in Africa (MOJA) whose school of thought I also subscribe to. For my entire life so far, and my career, I’ve been following
Liberian politics and I’ve been involved, even on the international scene. I’ve been actively advocating against the war that ravaged my country. I spoke out, so sanity would return to Liberia. If you recall, I gave an interview to Forbes magazine then, in which I said for peace to return, the United Nations needed to come into the country. They came in, and I was involved in the disarmament process as well.

When I saw the child soldiers, and the lives they led, I decided to help them. I helped get them disarmed, and many of them even went to school, and are today doctors, lawyers and so on. I played a major role. And I was called on board, as I said earlier, by the people and they gave me their mandate. Even after all that has happened over the years at the polls, I still have that mandate.

After achieving all that I have in my soccer career, I decided not to go the coaching route, because I wanted to help my country in a different way. I also went back to school, up to Masters’ level and I’m currently a serving Senator. When I was joining politics, some people thought I was a joke. But here we are today, and I have the people’s mandate.

DT: You ran for the presidency twice. What makes you feel you will succeed this time?

Weah: We have grown in politics. In 2005, I was very young and inexperienced. But for twelve years now, I’ve been very active. I’m very much into government now. For our rebirth, we’ve been in tune with the intricacies of our nation. We also kept an eye on what the current government is doing, and we speak out when there’s a need. When we need to support them, say to enact laws and such, we do so too in the interest of the people.

Everyone in the CDC has grown, we have matured. When we speak, we don’t incite. We speak words of wisdom. So much so that when I ran for the Senate, even key figures of the opposition came to us, to join us.

We’ve also fine-tuned all of the intricacies, like early planning, making sure the ballot papers are monitored and so on. We also collaborated with other parties. Like I said, we have grown. I believe I’m a good leader, with skills and the heart to make a positive difference.

DT: You were elected to the Liberian Senate in 2014. How have you been coping with life as a public figure and politician rolled in one?

Weah: I mix both, because I was a public figure and now I’m a politician. So the responsibilities are the same, just in slightly different ways.

DT: You converted from Christianity to Islam, changing your name to Ousman, before reverting to Christianity. You’ve also been quoted as saying Muslims and Christians are “one people.” Can you explain the philosophy behind your actions?

Weah: When I said Muslims and Christians are one people, I meant we’re all from the same God, and nothing can change that. When people see themselves as being different from others, then most likely there is misinterpretation of religion somehow. We worship differently, but we’re all human beings and we all have parts to play, Muslim or Christian. And that’s why I don’t discriminate in any way. I respect everyone.

Let’s go back a little. I had a rough childhood, and growing up things were so difficult that I found it difficult to pay my school fees. I barely made it past primary school, and secondary school was looking like an impossibility. I had a Muslim friend then, who gave me the opportunity to join Muslim Congress, an English and Arabic School. I attended for a year, and even though I grew up in a Christian home, I fell in love with the Islamic way of life.

I told my grandmother, with whom I lived, that I’m attending the English and Arabic School, to learn their discipline, to learn how to pray five times a day. She said, ‘well, George, God is God and how you serve him doesn’t matter.’ So I went, and was so fascinated by it all, that in 1989 I converted to Islam. I chose the name Ousman for its similarity to one of my names, Manneh. For almost 10 years, I was a Muslim and I learned the teachings, fasting and all of it. After my grandmother died, I reverted to Christianity.

I believe we are all one people, serving the same God. But typical of some politicians, that is often used against me. But I’m always going to be proud I’ve learned the teachings of Islam, and I’m proud that I’m a Christian. I like to think I have the best of both worlds.

DT: You have won several trophies and laurels during your professional football career and represented Liberia in two African Nations Cup outings, yet you have never played in a World Cup final. How do you feel about this?

Weah: Maybe it simply wasn’t meant to be. We missed the World Cup finals three times, in Germany, Italy and the United States. Then for the 2002 African Nations Cup in Port Harcourt, if you remember our goalkeeper got a red card and the Nigerian team benefited from that (laughter). But like I said, maybe it wasn’t meant to be. Win some, lose some.

But the real win, for me, is all the love. From all around the world, from fellow players, fans and others, who have always shown me love and support and I can’t thank them enough for that. It’s pretty humbling, really.

DT: Three of your children, George Weah Jr, Tita and Timothy are following your football footsteps. Did you influence their career choice?

Weah: Well, they watch the game, and we play together. They developed keen interest and decided to play, most especially the girl, Tita. She did what she could, but eventually left it and went back to school. George Jr had to pause because of a knee injury. Timothy is doing very well in Paris St. Germain’s Honour 19, and just the other day he scored three goals in the Champions League, glory be to God. He’s carrying the legacy of the family, as my father, uncle and cousins all played football. I just happen to be the one who kept the name alive. So

I’d like to use this opportunity to thank everyone who helped me on my journey, most especially Arsene Wenger and my other coaches.

I’m very involved in the lives of my children, even if I let them choose their paths. They are much-admired because of their upbringing. They’re respectable, they have good hearts and they love to help. They’re like me in so many ways. They also learn from their mother, Clar

Weah, who’s also a good woman. I’ve been married for 23 years, and I think God blessed me with a supportive family.

DT: Who is your favorite Nigerian player of all time?
Weah: Answering that would make some of my friends and brothers upset with me (laughter). I have many Nigerian friends who I love very much, so I cannot pick one.

DT: During your debut game at Milan, the commentator said ‘It took George Weah just five minutes to announce his arrival.’ How did it feel scoring your first goal there within mere moments?

Weah: I was excited. It was my son’s birthday, I remember, August 27th, and it was my first game there. Every player who goes to the field for his first game in a new environment tries hard to do his best. I was determined not just to score, but to play a wonderful game that day. It was a good beginning, and gave me confidence.

DT: Who is your idol, or role model outside of football?

Weah: One person: Nelson Mandela. He was a very simple man, a great leader who believed in peace and unity. When I met him, I stood in a corridor and he dragged me out and made me feel like we were on the same level, even if we weren’t. He’s Mandela, you know? The definition of a good man, I miss him terribly, and I pray for his soul to rest in peace.

DT: How did it feel when soccer legend Pelé described you as one of the world’s greatest living players?

Weah: It was an honor, coming from the king, Pelé himself. I received it with grace. For the man we all admired as kids growing up to say that meant a lot. And I was even privileged to meet him in Monte Carlo, when we worked on a committee together. I’ve always wanted to meet him.

In my life, I’d always wanted to meet only three people. Pelé was the first, then Nelson Mandela. The third is former Nigerian President Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida. They are all great men who as young men we all followed.

In Babangida’s case, even the mention of his name made us excited in Liberia. We would even copy how he dressed. We all loved him, and we even named a highway after him. He’s a good man who helped our country so much, and we can never forget what he, and other Nigerians, did for us. But I’m yet to meet him in person and would love to someday.

DT: How would you describe the state of African football today, compared to your heydays?

Weah: We must applaud African football, even if there are problems like little or no sponsorship. The performance of our players must be hailed, they make me very proud. Progress may be slow, but it is sure. Look at how long it took us to get the Ballon D’Or. We’ll still get it again someday.

DT: As the only African to be awarded the Ballon D’Or, how did clinching it feel?

Weah: I felt proud as a Liberian, and proud as an African. I mean, mine is a classic grass-to-grace story, from the humblest of backgrounds to the pinnacle of a career in professional football. So you can imagine my joy. And it’s not because of myself, no. I felt proud for putting
Africa on the map. The respect I get because of that is humbling.

DT: Do you miss playing football?

Weah: I still play regularly, at weekends, just to keep fit. I do analysis for TV programs too. I can’t ever stop playing. I love it too much.

DT: You share the same birthday with Nigeria, October 1st, and you celebrated this year’s here. How does that feel?

Weah: This is actually the second time I’ve spent my birthday here in Nigeria. And even when I’m not here, I celebrate it with Nigerians. When I was in Milan, Taribo [West] would drag me to the Nigerian society and we’d all celebrate. Those were great days, indeed. Nigeria is a great nation, and it’s an honor to share her birthday.

DT: You just turned 50. Do you have plans to write your memoirs?

Weah: There are many discussions about that going on, and I’m waiting for the final details. All I can promise readers is the unvarnished truth.
DT: What’s your favorite way to relax?

Weah: Just relaxing, and having good conversation with family and friends. I used to be more outgoing, but that’s reduced now. I did go out some days back, for my birthday. It reminded me of when I was a youngster. Now I’m in the 50s Club (laughter) and it really felt great when my friends took me out, and I thank them.